11.   Even so, the benchmark rate remains extraordinarily low in this country.

12.   Federal Reserve policy-makers are meeting in Washington today to decide on benchmark borrowing rates.

13.   He also said he expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise its benchmark overnight cash rate next year, after a series of five cuts.

14.   He said he sees no need to raise the benchmark short-term rate to contain inflation.

15.   He said there were two modes that Fed policy makers might be in when they raise their benchmark federal funds rate on loans between banks.

16.   In addition, short-term rates have fallen below long-term rates in the days since the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate.

17.   Investors speculated the report eased pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise benchmark rates to rein in inflation.

18.   New benchmark rates, which will be ordered by Bomer, would likely go into effect in late summer or early fall.

19.   New U.S. economic reports indicated the Federal Reserve may be forced to increase its benchmark rate to ward off inflation.

20.   No matter how much the Fed or banks lower benchmark rates, the interest on those cards will not fall below a certain percentage.